Obama Rally In St. Louis Draws 100,000 (VIDEO, SLIDESHOW)

Barack Obama drew a crowd of 100,000 at a rally near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis on Saturday, the AP reports. McCain spent the day campaigning in North Carolina.

The focus on the stump Saturday for both Obama and McCain continued to be taxes, and the candidates traded sharp criticisms of each other's plans.

More from the AP:

McCain, trailing in the polls, fired the first volley, likening his rival to the socialist leaders of Europe and saying he wanted to "convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency, redistributing massive amounts of wealth at the direction of politicians in Washington."

McCain added, "Raising taxes on some in order to give checks to others is not a tax cut; it's just another government giveaway."

Obama responded a few hours later in appearance before an enormous crowd, saying his Republican rival "wants to cut taxes for the same people who have already been making out like bandits, in some cases literally."

"John McCain is so out of touch with the struggles you are facing that he must be the first politician in history to call a tax cut for working people 'welfare,'" Obama said.

The Wall Street Journal has more details:

Barack Obama attracted 100,000 people at a Saturday rally here, his biggest crowd ever at a U.S. event.

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The crowd assembled under the Gateway Arch on a sunny Saturday afternoon to hear Obama speak about taxes and slam the Republicans on economic issues.

Lt. Samuel Dotson of the St. Louis Police Department confirmed the number of attendees piled into the grassy lawn by the Mississippi River.

To be sure, big crowds don't always signal a big turnout on Election Day. But Obama's ability to draw his largest audience yet in a typically red state that just weeks ago looked out of reach, could signal a changing electoral map.

For months Missouri polls put Obama as much as ten percentage points behind Republican John McCain. It was widely believed that McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate would have won over the state's conservatives and boosted his chances there. So far, that hasn't happened.

A Rasmussen poll released on Friday shows Obama leading in Missouri 52% to 46% for McCain.

Comments

[hopefuliohio]

Looks like a PRESIDENT to me!

[JJoseph]

Unbelievable! I only hope they all vote. I still worry about the polls narrowing as well as the "Bradley Effect". Also, I remember Florida and Ohio!

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

Those are the definitive voters,people interested enough to come out for Obama, will vote for Obama.I know we have to keep up the pressure to be safe but something is telling me landslide.

[nellie]

Let's hope a lot of these people VOTE EARLY, so the precincts are completely overrun.

[sharri]

early voting is not an option in Missouri

[DocRockk]

You are mistaken. While Missouri may not allow "early voting" per se, it does allow absentee balloting. You simply have to declare that you will not be available to vote that day (out of the area, etc), and you can vote absentee. They dont ask why or require any proof. Ihave voted this way in Missouri my entire life. I rarely wait till election day to vote.

If you live in Missouri, go vote absentee this week. Help keep the lines down on election day.

[VoodooDoll]

I watched this speech the same way I watch all his speeches,on the computer.Only way to see the whole thing.All through it the camera was on him,and I was thinking, "I wonder how many people are there?" WHOA----------- I'd say there were alot!!!

[Parisian]

We in France cannot wait for PRESIDENT Obama to visit. I assure you 300,000 people at his speech in Paris--if not more!

[SPQR1052]

Sorry, but I think LYON is better!!

Meet The Press Video Powell endorsement:

http://www.barackobama-joebiden2008.com/powell-mtp.flv

(Doing my part as a supporter. Share the link, also read my story on website.)

[Essentialboom]

Thats the kind of things I love to hear. We need Obama more than ever to reestablish our standing in the world and to mend our ties with our brothers and sisters in all the nations of the world.. BEcause Bush pretty much made us very hated and alienated from the world.. If you dont belive me talk to some people across the world and they wil tell you.. I have spoken to quite a few

[rockyb26]

We have to keep contacting the media to urge them to report on these amazing rallies. They've spent so much time focusing on the negative McPalin rallies and America needs to see how the Obama campaign embodies the American spirit in such an uplifting, and inspiring way. Here's the media contact list:

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=111

[harhar2]

This really makes me smile. A really great way to start out Sunday morning! Ahhhhh!.....Beautiful pictures! Great speech!

[simplify]

WOW!!!!!!!! 75,000 in Kansas city later in the day. Over 637,000 new donors and 150 million dollars raised in September. I think God has switched sides ;-))

[Lupin77]

The crowds are so huge. I don't think it's a good idea having these open air events because they can provide a lack of security and protection for BO. Almost wish he didn't address such enormous crowds - it makes me nervous seeing so many people there. It might be better having these events in enclosed venues where security is better.

[rockyb26]

be not afraid.

[DJFour]

My husband and I were there. It was amazing. You have to remember, choosing the Arch was a VERY smart thing to do. It's a National Park. There's a no fly zone and added security because of that. They easily closed the streets around it, and set it up so there was only one entrance into the Arch grounds. We went through security. One side of the Arch grounds sides the Mississippi River. You can't see where Obama was standing from the Illinois side and there are no tall buildings on the Illinois side. The buildings that overlook the Arch grounds on the St. Louis side are NOT close, but we could see security there. In other words, it was about a "enclosed" outside area as you can get, not to mention is was in incredibly impressive place for him to speak with the soaring 630 foot tall Gateway Arch overhead.

[soupson52]

Thanks. For some reason your writing sent chills through me.

[obackarama]

At the K.C. event there was a secure perimeter around the podium through which only those with tickets could enter (after going through metal detectors and the scrutiny of some very serious looking individuals).

The majority of those attending never saw the candidate, and given the limitations of the P.A., I imagine that many failed to hear him either.

However, many- including myself-were happy just to be a part the scene.

[aubrey8]

75,000 in Kansas City !!!

[MIKEBC]

BARACK = CHANGE WE NEED, MC POW = CHUMP CHANGE

[phoebie]

Thank you, Missourah! Native son Harry Truman would be proud.

[Workinwithu]

America wants Change, We the People want Obama, Obama, Obama

[Zenith1959]

Just watched MSNBC showing a Mccain rally, then mentioned Obama having a rally in St. Louis without saying a thing about the crowd size. Wasn't that one of the biggest political crowds ever in America? Is that worth at least a little bitty mention?

[publanski]

You'd think.

[Criticalthinktank07]

What happened to media bias??

[ArmyCentrist]

I can't wait to show my grandchildren that I was a part of this movement...my neighbors and I try to out-donate each other lol! But really, what's wrong with "spreading the wealth around"? It sounds Socialist yes, but really John, this country cannot thrive if you press on the middle class until we have nothin left, and just let the rich continue to get richer. They aren't re-investing in the American infrastructure (except good ol' Warren Buffett), so why shield them and their money all the time?

[Hoppy]

In the case of modern America, it's not socialist at all. It is a counterbalance to forty years of trickle down economics. It hasn't trickled, it has pooled at the top. Top 1% of population controls more wealth than the "bottom" 95%. Ironic that all them flag wavin' chicken-fried Joes are the ones hurt the most.

[cooltwin]

WOW!! and looks so presidential as he is addressing the crowds...
I am voting for "That One"!!